[RLOP] Chapter : 26 - Attack on the Castle

When it came to Hiyori, Lucci couldn’t say he liked her—but he couldn’t say he hated her either.

The Kozuki clan was a family renowned for its “many talents.” No matter how brilliant one member was, their light would always be eclipsed by another. Yet, compared to the rest, Hiyori still possessed one undeniable advantage.

She was beautiful.

That was reality—humans were visual creatures, and Lucci was no exception.
If it had been Alvida draped over him last night, clinging and cuddling, he would’ve kicked her away without a shred of hesitation.
But with Hiyori…

Lucci thought, A single moment of impatience can ruin a much larger plan.

Of course, her appearance was not the true reason he kept her close. What he truly valued was the hidden weight Hiyori carried—value she herself might not even realize.

But Lucci, a transmigrator who dared to defy fate itself, could see it clearly.

First, she was the princess of Wano, with the unquestionable right to inherit the shogunate.
Second, she was of the Whitebeard Pirates’ third generation, the only girl who could call Edward Newgate “Grandpa.”
And third—she was Kozuki Momonosuke’s sister. The thought of that sibling rivalry was enough to make Lucci smirk in dark amusement.

The last point was more of his own twisted humor, but the first two? Even the Kozuki retainers knew about them.
They simply chose silence.

Think about it—if they had brought the young princess, born on Whitebeard’s very ship and heir to Wano’s throne, to seek aid, would Whitebeard have turned her away?
Of course not. The man who loved family above all else would never refuse her.

And yet, the retainers endured two long decades instead of taking that chance. Even if it meant allowing Hiyori to spend a few safe years under Whitebeard’s protection.

In truth, they were afraid.

Afraid that with power behind her, Hiyori might overshadow Momonosuke and claim what “belonged” to him. After all, the son of a shogun would surely inherit the title—but a daughter? In an isolated land steeped in centuries of male dominance, she would never be given the same chance.

This was also why Kawamatsu had been left behind. As a fishman, he didn’t fully agree with Wano’s rigid hierarchy. His loyalty was to Kozuki Oden—not to Momonosuke.

Watching Hiyori eat, savoring every bite, Lucci quietly replaced her plate and considered. Originally, he had thought winning her loyalty would be difficult. But seeing the depth of her resentment, he realized it might be easier than expected.

Eventually, the clinking of chopsticks and quiet chewing faded. Yamato was the first to set her utensils down, confusion flickering in her eyes.

“Lucci,” she said slowly, “I saw it with my own eyes—the harm the samurai caused this country.”

Her voice trembled. “It’s nothing like what Oden… what that man wrote in his logbook.”

The Kozuki Oden of those pages had been free, bold, and larger than life. Yamato had believed every word. But last night, the retainers’ bitter stories shattered that dream.

This Oden—the one seen through their eyes—was someone she had never known.

Her faith wavered. Hugging her knees, Yamato stared at the floor. For three years, she had rebelled against her father, clung to the title of “man,” and carried the dream of becoming Oden. But now, with that dream broken, the path ahead of her was nothing but fog.

What is the meaning of my existence?

Once, it had been simple: to become Oden. Now, there was nothing. If she couldn’t answer that question, she would drift like a ship without a rudder.

Her voice cracked. “If becoming Oden is wrong… then what is the meaning of my life?”

Lucci’s expression didn’t change. Calmly, he said, “The sea is vast. Out there, every soul is the protagonist of their own story.”

“Everyone… a protagonist?” Yamato’s head lifted slightly. At just eleven years old, she couldn’t fully grasp his words.

“That’s right. Wanting to become Oden is your freedom. But isn’t it far greater to become yourself—to pursue your own dream?”

The name “Oden” made Hiyori pause mid-bite. She glanced at Yamato, startled. In their short time together, Yamato had always seemed unshakable—bright, confident, strong. Qualities Hiyori herself had secretly envied.

And yet now, Yamato’s face was clouded with doubt.

So even you… are like me?

After all, they were both women. Both weighed down by legacies they hadn’t chosen.

But then Hiyori froze. Wait… what did Benefactor mean by wanting to “become Oden”?
Sister Yamato… wants to become my father?!

Confused, she lowered her gaze, cheeks flushing. Her mind returned to her own bitter past. After leaving Whitebeard’s ship, the only sweetness in her life had been the moment she met her Benefactor.

A dream, huh… what is my dream?

Meanwhile, Yamato buried her face in her knees. “A dream… I don’t know anymore.”

“Then go find it,” Lucci said simply. “Didn’t I tell you? The sea is vast. It can embrace anyone bold enough to chase their own dream.”

Before Yamato could finish speaking, Lucci cut her off.

He wasn’t interested in dissecting what a “dream” truly meant. He only wanted Yamato to steady herself—and one day, become his right hand.

“To… explore it myself?”

Yamato lifted her head, searching his expression.

“That’s right,” Lucci replied smoothly. “On this sea, Roger found freedom, Whitebeard found family, and as for Kaido-san…”

His voice flowed evenly, carrying an unshakable conviction. Yamato stared, almost entranced.

Memories flickered in her mind. Lucci reading quietly when they first met. Lucci sharing food with hungry townsfolk at Blade Warrior Port. Lucci holding his ground against the officials’ questions. Lucci, bloodied but unyielding, saving her when death closed in.

The words themselves faded, reduced to a low hum echoing in her ears. What Kaido had “found” on the sea never even reached her. Her gaze stayed fixed on Lucci, drawn in helplessly, as if gravity itself had shifted.

On the other side, Hiyori was no different. Though she hadn’t shared as many moments with him, the night Lucci appeared—like a hero from a tale—had carved itself deep into her heart.

When Lucci finally stopped speaking, silence lingered. The two girls’ eyes locked onto him, their admiration plain. Outwardly, he remained calm, but inside, he felt… oddly uncertain.

Huh? I don’t have the charisma of some silver-tongued Austrian artist, but surely I can sway two little girls, right?

This look wasn’t the fiery determination he expected—more like the dreamy gaze of those utterly captivated.

Of course, what Lucci didn’t realize was that Yamato had once looked at Oden in the very same way.

After a brief pause, he tried again. “I’ll set sail someday. So, until you find your own dream… how about staying by my side?”

“Then tell me, Lucci,” Yamato asked softly. “What is your dream?”

Tch—don’t answer a question with a question…

Lucci’s mouth twitched, but when he saw Hiyori’s eyes fixed on him with equal expectation, he found himself hesitating.

What was his dream?

In this world, a dream was no trivial thing. It was the fire that carried men through a lifetime at sea, the force that pushed legends toward the impossible.

But Lucci had long since chosen his path. He already had the resolve to pull the trigger.

Finally, he spoke. “Do you know? The so-called Celestial Dragons were never born to stand above the world.”

He rose to his feet, and in that instant, black and crimson lightning burst forth—Conqueror’s Haki unleashed in a storm.

“The Empty Throne on the Red Line has gathered dust for too long. It’s time… for it to welcome a new master.”

BOOM!

The shockwave roared outward, scattering the girls’ hair in the gale. Their confusion fell away, replaced by something sharper, steadier.

“Lucci… this is your wish?”

“Benefactor…”

“I want to help you!”

The two girls spoke as one.